A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 57

Matteo

As I grew anxious, I ran towards Alexei and Mikhail. They were heading to

until I stopped them in their steps.

their car and had completely ignored my calls

While Mikhail and Alexei had an umbrella to cover them from the rain, I was already soaking wet as I stood in the rain. I knew how foolish / looked especially as the Sicilian leader but when it came to Alena, I was left with no choice.

Angelo had followed me but when he tried to offer me an umbrella, I politely declined and asked him to stay where he was. A few of my men were watching me from afar and I knew they felt pity for their leader; I had never made a fool out of myself. Now, I only embarrassed myself in front of the Bratva leaders.

Alexei clenched his jaw and for a short few seconds, I could see the sympathy in his eyes while Mikhail stood closer to the car, probably considered myself as a pathetic man.

"What are you doing, Matteo?" Alexei asked, shaking his head.

"You can't take Alena away from me."

"You've failed to protect her. It's better if we take the responsibility away from you,"

Responsibility. It felt like a hard slap to the face but I knew I needed to take it all in. Ever since Alena's kidnapping, I hadn't stopped blaming myself-couldn't sleep at night, kept getting throbbing headaches and even had nightmares whenever I fell asleep. My biggest fear had became a reality and for the first time in my life, I was scared.

"Mr. Lerclerc?" Angelo called out, asking permission if he could provide me an umbrella but I held my hand up, preventing

im from doing so.

"Matteo... we're not trying to start a war here. Alena is and always will be Russian. If things ever go wrong like this, we have the right to protect her ourselves." Alexei said, silencing me.

I shook my head, "We're married. She's my wife. How is it possible for me to let her go? I can't just let her go."

"You should've thought about that before this happened."

"It wasn't my intention!"

"It was nobody's intention but you failed regardless. You've proven that you're not worthy to take care of our Alena. What will you say if this happens again? What will you say to try and convince us? Words don't matter in this situation, Matteo. I sighed deeply, "I know but let me prove myself this time. Let me prove to you and Mikhail that I can take care of Alena. I know this isn't the first time but I assure you, this will be the last time. I'll die first before anyone can hurt her."

My eyes stared directly into his own as he stood quietly, probably processing his own thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, he was thinking of other things to say or considering any other options.

"What do you think this is, Matteo? A business transaction? We're talking about my daughter's life," Mikhail stepped in, in a

serious tone.

"I didn't mean it that way,"

"As a Sicilian leader, you should know better to overcome your enemies. You should know better to take care of your family.

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Chapter 57

If you

makes you think you're capable to take care of anyone else? Maybe, we're lucky we lost

he stared at his father, not expecting him to bring up Marco. "Papa,"

you could protect Marco either,

"Papa, that's enough."

fists as I held myself back from hurting Mikhail. If I listened to myself, I would've probably punched him straight in the face until he passed out. The past few days were stressful for me and I felt pressured by

kept reminding myself that Alena was important. Her family was

Mikhail said, through gritted teeth

the same spot for a few seconds, eyeing me. I knew he could sense my anger but he also knew he couldn't do much-he was a coward, from the moment he let Mikhail decided Viktor as Alena's future husband and he

turned out to be a blessing

"Alexei ... please,"

over.

had caused Alexei to stop in his steps. "I'm begging you, Alexei. I'd do anything. I swear to God, I'd

embarrassing yourself in front of your

me bring her back and please don't take her away from

turned to look at

drove out of my territory-leaving me on my knees in the rain, my fists on the ground. Angelo had

minutes, trying to process what

you want to

and also through my greatest downfall-never once did he wanted to leave. He had stayed loyal and proved his loyalty through every hardships. I could never imagine losing Angelo. He was

me as weak. They could see how

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Chapter 57

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choose a different leader but my men were

My clothes drenched in water as I took off my shoes, feeling lifeless. I didn't realise

Lerclerc?" Angelo called out, for a few times before

"Yes, Angelo?"

"Luca is here."

Luca walked in the front door. The moment he saw me, he seemed surprised yet he didn't utter a single word except

the two of us

shit." Luca said,

to

You

scoffed, "Fight what, Luc? Put a

fucking asshole. Alexei's

I